Ross Chastain’s ‘Hail Melon’ No Longer the “Most Viral” NASCAR Moment as Trackhouse Teammate Steals Social Media Limelight

By the end of the 2022 Cup Series season, NASCAR fans had seen one of the greatest moments in the sport’s history. It was Trackhouse Racing star Ross Chastain’s ‘Hail Melon’ move at the Martinsville Speedway that had the fans talking for many weeks after the incident. But now, there is a new moment to rival that one, and it’s come only two races into the 2024 season.

What we are talking about is, of course, the extraordinary three-wide finish in Atlanta. Fans were on the edge of their seats as the last few laps played out and the drama on the last lap made us all remember why we love NASCAR so much. One would have to look quite hard to find a race ending as exciting as that one, as Daniel Suarez defeated two Cup Series champions to etch his name in the history books.

Daniel Suarez is now the most talked about Trackhouse Racing star

The hype around the race finish feels at least as much as the hype around the ‘Hail Melon’ maneuver that made Chastain and Trackhouse Racing famous the world over. Well, it seems like Justin Marks’ team cannot stay away from these viral moments as it was their car that came out of nowhere on the outside lane to beat Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch.

After the race was over, Marks was a relieved man as he and Trackhouse Racing went through all the emotions on the final few laps and more. The team now has 2 viral moments under its belt and this race will be talked about for decades to come. 

It was NASCAR journalist, Adam Stern, who wrote on X to break the good news. He reported, “@Daniel_SuarezG’s photo finish at Atlanta was the most viral @NASCAR moment on social media since @RossChastain’s Hail Melon in 2022, another last lap involving a @TeamTrackhouse driver, per data from the sanctioning body. It was also the No. 10 play on @SportsCenter today.” 

While it’s all well and good as far as the team is concerned, the toll it took on the crew and team boss Justin Marks must have been incredible. The 42-year-old NASCAR and Moto GP team owner recently opened up about that experience.

Justin Marks had his heart in his mouth for a few moments after the race ended

In a recent interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, the Trackhouse Racing boss acknowledged that it was nerve-racking and agonizing, especially after the three drivers crossed the start/finish line. The team had to wait for a torturous few moments before race control finally declared that Daniel Suarez had crossed the line first and the win belonged to the #99 team.

“TV was behind, so we were actually watching the final lap while they were trying to determine who won. So at that point, I knew they came across the start line 3 wide like that, but you’re just waiting with bated breath.”

“Same thing with the #12 and same thing with the #8. You’re just holding your breath and you’re sort of waiting for that call from that tower to come down…blank to victory lane and hope that it’s your number. But it’s a little agonizing because you’re sort of like…wanna win this thing so bad. You just so badly wanted to happen that if you’re a man of god, you pray and if not you wait,” Marks said.

Going into the third race of the campaign, Trackhouse Racing will be flying on confidence and momentum. This could be the year that Justin Marks’ team really finds their rhythm and takes it to the titans of the competition in the race to the championship.

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